Guest blog by Jennifer Harrison, MPH, RDH I have been on the steering committee of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) since graduating from dental hygiene school in 2013. My clinical career has been in federally qualified health centers serving the most underserved of our community. Lack of access to care and other policy barriers inspired me to earn my MPH from Western Kentucky University and I have since been [...]
June marks not only the start of summer but also National Oral Health Month! From sleeping in on lazy mornings to busy days on vacation, at camp, or playing sports, maintaining consistent oral hygiene can become a challenge. But keeping your mouth healthy doesn’t have to interrupt the fun. Follow these tips to enjoy a summer of healthy smiles. Keep Kids’ Smiles Healthy on Summer Break Summer break can throw off school-time [...]
As we enjoy warmer days in the Commonwealth, Kentucky’s legislature wrapped up another state budget session on April 15th. Among the nearly 1300 bills filed in Frankfort this year, there were several with components that focused on oral health, underscoring recent trends among Kentucky leaders to place emphasis on the importance of oral health. Bills Impacting Oral Health and What Comes Next House Bill 2 HB2 is an expansive bill addressing Medicaid benefits in Kentucky passed, despite a veto from Governor Beshear, and [...]
KOHC members and advocates met virtually on Friday, March 27th for the KOHC March Quarterly Meeting to discuss important updates toward our goals of improving oral health education and access to care throughout the state. The meeting began with updates about the University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine from Dr. Jill Keaton, Professor and Dean. Noting data cited in KOHC’s 2023 Landscape Assessment that fewer than half of Kentucky children on Medicaid or KCHIP received dental visits, Dr. Keaton shared information about their 2026 research project underway to assess the [...]
Oral Cancer Awareness: Early Detection Saves Lives April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month, offering a chance to learn about the signs and symptoms, the importance of regular screenings, and ways to reduce your risk. Each year, approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer, and nearly 10,000 die. That means about one person every hour loses their life to oral cancer. Survivors of oral cancer may experience facial disfigurement and [...]
Each April the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) partners with the Face It Movement to build awareness and connection among oral health professionals, advocates, families, and community members to help prevent child abuse and neglect. We are all in a unique position to help strengthen families and prevent child abuse in multiple ways. This month is a great time to dive deeper into how you can play a role in child abuse prevention: Share resources and support to help build strong, resilient families: Share Face It resources in your office or workplace. These free materials offer practical information about [...]
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize and promote the inclusion, contributions, and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Individuals with I/DD represent a diverse population with unique abilities, needs, and experiences. Oral health is an often overlooked component of overall health for individuals with I/DD. Providing equitable dental care to people with I/DD requires awareness, flexibility, and a commitment to person-centered approaches. Oral Health Challenges and Barriers to [...]
As we welcome the first signs of Spring in Kentucky, our lawmakers continue working on crafting a state budget and passing legislation in Frankfort. Now more than halfway through the 2026 legislative session, several bills with the potential to impact oral health across the state have been filed. Register now for the KOHC Spring Virtual Coalition Meeting on March 27th from 10am-12pm ET to hear from stakeholders across the state and learn more about the status of bills impacting [...]
As we continue recognizing National Children’s Dental Health Month, children’s nutrition has also emerged as a key topic during the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly. Lawmakers have filed several food-related bills aimed at tackling childhood obesity and food insecurity. Proposed legislation ranges from helping schools source food from local farms, to preventing gaps in SNAP benefits, to aligning state policy with national dietary priorities — like restricting ultra processed, low-nutrient foods in schools and SNAP purchases. [...]
Guest blog by Cristina Perez, DDS, MS: February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and as a pediatric dentist, I see this month as more than a reminder to brush and floss. It’s an opportunity to reflect on how oral health is inseparable from a child’s overall health and how prevention, access, and advocacy can shape a child’s future. Dental caries remains the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet it is largely preventable. Every day, I see children [...]
